The species of the genus Phaps, a form which I believe to be confined to Australia, are more widely dispersed than those of any other section of the family, being universally distributed over the entire country from north to south and from east to west; even the parched deserts of the interior are visited by them if a supply of water be within reach of their evening flight, which is performed with the most extraordinary rapidity and power.

Genus Ptilinopus, Swains.

The species of this genus, the most brilliant and highly-coloured of the Columbidæ, range over Australia, New Guinea, Malacca, Celebes, and Polynesia; two of the three Australian species are I believe confined to that country.

416. Ptilinopus Swainsonii, Gould[Vol. V. ] Pl. 55.
417. Ptilinopus Ewingii, Gould[Vol. V. ] Pl. 56.
418. Ptilinopus superbus[Vol. V. ] Pl. 57.

Genus Carpophaga, Selby.

The species of this genus are widely dispersed over Australia, New Guinea, Malacca, Celebes and Polynesia. Strictly arboreal in their habits and feeding entirely upon fruits, berries and seeds, they frequent the towering fig-trees when their fruit is ripe, and the lofty palms for the sake of their large round seeds. I have frequently observed large flocks moving about from one part of the forest to another, consequently they may be considered a gregarious race; their short tarsi and dilated feet are ill-adapted for the ground, and I have never seen them descend from the trees, not even for water.

419. Carpophaga magnifica[Vol. V. ] Pl. 58.
420. Carpophaga leucomela[Vol. V. ] Pl. 59.
421. Carpophaga luctuosa[Vol. V. ] Pl. 60.

Genus Lopholaimus, G. R. Gray.

The single species of this genus is strictly a fruit-eating Pigeon, and is confined, so far as we yet know, to the brushes of New South Wales, where it moves about in large flocks and feeds upon the wild figs and other fruits and berries which the trees of the brushes afford.